Obama begins historic visit to Myanmar

A girl gestures after presenting US President Barack Obama (4th R) with a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at Yangon International Airport, Nov 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

YANGON - Newly re-elected US President Barack Obama arrived here Monday morning to kick off his hours' working visit to Myanmar, becoming the first sitting US president to visit the Southeast Asian nation in the history of Myanmar-US relations.

As part of his four-day Southeast Asian tour to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, started from Saturday, Obama flew over from Thailand after completing his first leg of the tour.

US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wave upon arriving at Yangon International Airport, Nov 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Carrying Obama, who was accompanied by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Air Force One touched down at the Yangon International Airport at 09:38 am (local time).

Greeting Obama at the airport were Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe and US Ambassador to Myanmar Dereck Mitchell.  

Obama's visit came as bilateral relations warm up following eased US sanctions in response to a wave of reforms which has been underway since elected President U Thein Sein took office on March 30, 2011.

On the way leading to the Yangon Region Parliament building opposite to the People's Square and Shwedagon Pagoda, Obama's convoy was accorded warm welcome by organized young students dressed in green uniform from state basic education schools as well as civilians, waving small flags of the two countries.

On arrival at the Yangon Region Parliament building, Obama met with his Myanmar counterpart U Thein Sein who came back a day earlier from the ongoing Phnom Penh ASEAN Summit to greet Obama.